Apparatus for removing gravel from frozen ground



(No Model.)

` R. H. PINKHAM. APPARATUS POR REMOVING GRAVEL PROM FROZEN GROUND.

N0r 605,512. Patented June 14,1898.

Nrrnn STATES` ArtNr Friet,

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING GRAVEL FROM FROZEN GROUND.

4SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 605,512, dated J une 14, 1898.

Application iiled`J'anuary 29, 1898. Serial No. 668,463. (No model.) l

To all whom t may concern:

Y which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for extracting gravel, the object of theinvention being to provide a device capable of use in the Winter, when the ground or gravel to be extracted is frozen solid.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which.-

Figure l is an elevation of the complete apparatus in the relative positions assumed in operation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the extracting-nozzle. V i

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 3 designates a boiler or similar supply for hot Water, which may be of any desired construction. This is connected by a pipe 4 with the extracting-nozzle 6, which in its turn connects by a pipe 7 Withan airtight tank 8 for the reception of the gravel extracted, from which the water is drawn by a pipe 9, leading toa pump lO. The extractingnozzle is shown more in detail in Fig. 2. This consists of a head a and a shoe b, connected by inner and outer concentric pipes. The shoe consists of the conical portion b', designed to penetrate the frozen earth and having aV plurality of openings b2 for the passage of the water. This shoe is provided with upwardlyextending concentric flanges ZQS b4, which are threaded for connection to the pipes c and d.

The upper portion or driving-head a consists of a solid portion a and ianged portions a2 a3, the flanges CL2 and a3 being threaded for connection with the upper ends of the concentric pipes. A iianged opening a4 provides an inlet-opening to the annular space between the iianges and pipes, the pipe 4t being connected to the iiange of this open-` ing. A similar flanged outlet-opening a5 e011-,

nects the pipe 7 with the space within the inner pipe d and head and shoe.

It will be understood that by means of the driving-head the extracting-nozzle is driven down a suitabledistance into the gravel to be extracted, and when in this position,`as shown, for example, in Fig. l, the cock 4S is opened and the pump set in motion, and the hot water then iiows from the boiler through the pipe 4t to the space between the pipes of the extracting-nozzle. From this space the hot water passes out through the surrounding openings bis and thaws the frozen sand and gravel, which is thendrawn by the suction caused by the pump through the openings in the conical point of the shoe and, rising Athrough the extracting-nozzle and pipe 7,

passes into the tank 8, Where the sand and gravel is deposited while the water is p umped off by the pump.

It will be understood that the tank maybe representative of any receptacle into which it is desired to place the sand or gravel extracted. It will be further understood that owing to the threaded connections of the driving-head this may be disconnected and additional pipe-sections added to enable the shoe to penetrate deeper as the extracting progresses.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isk An apparatus for removing gravel from frozen ground comprising inner and outer pipes terminating in a tapering perforated shoe adapted to be driven into the ground, a hot-water supply communicating with the space between the pipes, said space having outlet-openings, a pump for raising the mal terial through the interior pipe and an intermediate gravel-receptacle between the pump and the tube, substantially as described.

In" testimony whereof I affix my signature in4 presence of two witnesses.

RALPH HOWARD PINKHAM. Witnesses:

C. H. WELCH, RoDNnY LUND. 

